Post-op Follow-up #2

Austin went to see Dr. Colvin today for his second post-op follow up. Everything is looking good- and there was NO evidence of fluid build up!!! We were so happy to hear this! Austin continues to be on Lasix as a diuretic to help relieve any fluid that may build, but so far so good!

Austin is loving being at home and feeling more and more like himself. He's looking forward to Halloween this weekend, and we all want to wish you a Happy Halloween!

Thank you for praying!!!

Discharged!

Austin is home! He had several x-rays done over the weekend and there wasn't any more fluid buildup!!! We're so relieved and so glad that he is home.

He'll have a follow up appointment in the coming days, and I'll be sure to update soon!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers this week!

Drainage tubes are OUT!

Austin hasn't really drained any fluid since yesterday so they made the decision today to pull the tube. Austin is loving the independence and being tube free! They've taken several chest x-rays today and will do the same tomorrow then make a decision on Sunday about whether he can be discharged or to wait again.

Join us in praying that there won't be any more fluid buildup and that Austin can go home on Sunday!!!

Austin is doing well- as you can see, he is still finding ways to enjoy his time in the hospital!

Update: Austin's drainage has almost completely stopped as of 10 last night, they are doing an x-Ray today to determine if there is still fluid and its not draining, or if its really stopped.

Also, they had to go in and loosen a suture this morning (this was an older one from where he had drainage tubes post op in Memphis). It was too tight and was becoming infected, so it has been cleaned.

Stay tuned for updates on the fluid later today- we're hoping for NO fluid buildup, and talks of going home in a couple of days!

700 cc of fluid!!!

Austin had his drainage tubes reinserted and since has drained over 700 cc of fluid!!! That is ALOT of fluid! (for example, 30 cc equals 1 ounce)... so as you see, this is alot of fluid! As you can imagine, Austin is feeling some relief from the fluid draining and is breathing with much ease.

He is out of ICU and back in a regular room, still with the tube. They will continue to monitor him and the drainage. The Doctor came in this afternoon and warned that we may be looking at a week or so in the hospital, which is discouraging, but at the same time we want what is best for Austin!

Thank you for continuing to pray for Austin, Andy & Heather through this journey. We feel your prayers. Pray that even in moments like now, that God will get the glory!!!

headed to ICU...

Hey guys- Austin had a fair night, but still has a considerable amount of fluid on his lung. He is headed to ICU in the next few minutes and they'll begin proceedings of putting him under and reinserting the chest drainage tubes.

Continue praying for Austin today! I'll update again soon.

Check-up with Dr. Colvin and back in hospital!

We had an appointment with Dr. Colvin (Austin's cardiologist in Birmingham) today. We fully expected this to be a routine visit. Austin did have a few min this morning where he appeared to have difficulty breathing but recovered and seemed fine. We arrived at Dr. Colvin's office and they did x-Ray and EKG. The x-Ray showed fuid on his right lung. It is a large amount of fluid and was concerning to Dr. Colvin. They immediately admitted him to UAB. The plan right now is to administer iv Lasix (a diuretic) to help with fluid then retake the x-Ray in the morning. If fluid is still there, Austin will go into the ICU here, be put under and have drainage tubes reinserted.

Pray for Austin especially as he is so done with doctors and nurses right now. He is still sore from surgery and emotional. He doesn't want to be touched! Pray for him to be comfortable and adjust well to his rehospitalization.

We'll update again in the morning.

We love Dr. Knott-Craig!

How do you show gratitude to the man who has "fixed" your child's heart three times! God is ultimately the Great Physician and the one who has repaired Austin's heart to the fullest, but what an amazing tool He's had here on earth as God has used Dr. Knott-Criag in Austin's life!

Dr. Knott-Craig had just recently come to Birmingham only months before Austin was born. As you know, there aren't surgeons everywhere who can operate on a heart like Austin's, and God brings Dr. Knott-Craig to Birmingham! We clearly remember sitting in a hospital room, being told for the first time that Austin is in NICU, they're running tests and it may be a heart condition... thats not a great feeling, it stirs MANY emotions! And a few hours later, Dr. Colvin comes from UAB, comes in the room and informs us it is Austin's heart... Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome to be exact. "Austin needs surgery or he isn't going to live"... those are words no one ever wants to hear! Austin is transferred to UAB, and we're introduced to a surgeon, a surgeon who just came to work at UAB, a surgeon named Dr. Knott-Craig.

January 17, 2007 was a date we'll never forget, the date of Austin's first surgery. Dr. Knott-Craig was amazing, so comforting, and truly cares most about his patients. Austin's second surgery was May 16, 2007, and again, Dr. Knott-Craig was amazing! We'll never forget the day Dr. Knott-Craig removed Austin's pacing wires in his room, Austin was crying and uncomfortable but when Dr. Knott-Craig finished, he picked up Austin, and it was an immediate comfort to him. Austin stopped crying and just looked at Dr. Knott-Craig. Even at five months old, Austin knew, he knew this man was someone to trust!
So when the time came for Austin's third surgery it was only natural that we'd follow Dr. Knott-Craig to his new home, Memphis, TN. We traveled to LeBonheur Children's Hospital this past week and Austin's third surgery was performed there. On the way Austin held pictures of himself and Dr. Knott-Craig as Andy & Heather explained to him that Dr. Knott-Craig is the one who would fix his heart and give him his third "zipper" / scar. Even with Austin's apprehensions, Austin was comfortable with this, which again shows his trust in Dr. Knott-Craig. One example of his care and concern is on the day of surgery, Dr. Knott-Craig had a nurse in the OR who continually sent text messages to Andy's phone giving updates on Austin. The nurse usually calls to the waiting room phone and speaks to the parents with updates periodically during surgery. But with Andy & Heather being Deaf, Dr. Knott-Craig wanted to ensure they were updated directly! This spoke volumes to Andy & Heather, and also showed us his care and concern for the patient and their family. We were touched! Then on Wednesday of last week while still in ICU after surgery, Dr. Knott-Craig walked into Austin's room, and Austin looked at him, then immediately signed "Dr. Knott-Craig fixed my heart." What an amazing moment for all of us! We could go on and on with stories, but as you can see, Dr. Knott-Craig has touched our lives in a special way.

Our experience in Memphis was wonderful, and we really thank Dr. Knott-Craig and his nurse, Holly, for making this experience a positive one.
As you can see, we think very highly of Dr. Knott-Craig, and thank him for using his skill and expertise to give Austin life! And as we said, we first and foremost, thank God for allowing Austin to experience life! May God receive the glory and honor for this precious life!

Austin is home now, and continues to do well! He's loving being back at home, playing with his toys and enjoying some movies as he recovers. Please continue to pray for him and his recovery over the next several weeks! We have many people to thank... our Lord Jesus Christ, Dr. Knott-Craig, other doctors, nurses, family, friends, and especially our prayer warriors! Thank you for following this blog and joining us as we lift up Austin in prayer! Thank you!

HOME!

Andy, Heather, & Austin made it home tonight safely! They're thrilled to be home, and Austin was looking forward to a nice warm bath in the bathtub and they're all looking forward to a good nights rest in their own beds!

Stay tuned for more updates soon!

going home!!!

Hey guys- we just got word that Austin will be discharged this afternoon! We're thrilled! They took him off oxygen this morning and he has done very well today, so they're sending him home! Less than one week from surgery and he's headed home!

This past week has had its ups and downs, but we praise God for His power and grace! Its been an amazing week and we're constantly reminded of the many people we have praying for us. Thank you!

On the road to recovery!!!

Austin was finally discharged from ICU yesterday afternoon! His heart rate seems to be stablized and his chest tubes finally came out today! He has been smiling and is more and more like his self! We're thrilled to see him doing so well!

Dr. Knott Craig and his wife came by to visit Austin this afternoon. It was a sweet visit and meant a lot to the Andersons. While there Dr. KC said if Austin continues to do well then there is a chance they'll discharge him tomorrow!

His continued progress is because of your prayers! Thank you!!!

Keep praying!

Austin's heart rate continues to be elevated today. They tried giving him iv drugs last night to bring it down and have tried using the pacemaker this morning. But it continues to be elevated. They are keeping him in ICU for now as they watch him and try to determine the cause of the high heart rate.

He also still has his chest tubes, ivs, and oxygen. Join us in praying for improvement and especially that they can resolve the heart rate issue.

I will update again later on once we know more.

up and walking!

Austin seems to be feeling a little bit better than earlier today. He was able to get up and do some walking this evening! He looks great!

Please join us in continuing to pray for Austin. His heart rate is slightly elevated tonight, and again, they're assuming its caused by some of the medications he is on, but please pray that he'll be able to rest well tonight regardless of the elevated heart rate. Pray that he will continue to show signs of improvement tonight and be able to move to a regular room tomorrow! Pray Andy & Heather will rest well tonight and be ready for a new day tomorrow.

a few pictures from yesterday...

Look at that O2 sat!!! Yes, Austin is on a little bit of oxygen, but 99 is an amazing O2 sat!!! He's pink (not blue) and has great numbers on the monitor!

still in ICU- please join us in praying!

Hey guys- we'd appreciate your prayers this evening as Austin isn't feeling too good. We think he's reacting to some medications again and is pretty nauseated. He's sweating a lot and has a heart rate in the 130s, which is higher than we want to see. Overall this is making him uncomfortable. Join us in praying that he'll begin to feel some relief and that doctors can figure out what is causing his symptoms.

On a lighter note, he did have one of his three chest tubes removed this morning, so that is very encouraging! He still has two others still in, and some other things that will need to be weaned before he is officially progressing to moving out of ICU.

Please take a moment right now and join us in praying for Austin!

I'll update again soon... thank you!